Refrigerator car construction



Jan. 12, 1943. v. E. WEST REFRIGERATOR CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed June 2o, y1940 2 sheets-sheet 1 (L mw wm .um `o`o l w o o o mm, m0

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Jan. 12, 1943. v E. WEST REFRIGER'ATOR CAR CONSTRUCTION Filed June 2o, 1940 ZShBGCS-Shet 2 InUenZ'on Viator E. W515i' l Patented Jan. 12, 1943 REFRIGERATOR CAR CONSTRUCTION Victor E. West, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Standard Railway Devices Company, a corporation of Delaware Application June Z0, 1940, Serial No. 341,411

Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerator cars used to transport perishable commodities at a predetermined temperature. The essential features of a refrigerator car are an insulated body to prevent or retard ingress of heat during warm weather and egress of heat during cold weather and a cooling means and a heating means to be used during warm and cold weather respectively.

This invention applies particularly to cars in which the cooling means, preferably containers for water ice, eutectic ice, brine or Dry Ice, are disposed immediately below the roof of the car. The lading is supported in spaced relation to the floor by a foraminous rack. Flues, preferably associated with the side walls of the car, communicate between the cooling means and the space under the floor rack to provide a path for the circulation of air. The path is from the cooling means downwardly through the aforementioned nues, through the space under the oor rack, upwardly through the lading compartment thereby cooling the lading, and finally to the cooling means from where the cycle is repeated.

An object of the invention is to provide a roof structure which may be assembled as a unit upon the ground and then attached as the same unit to the remainder of the car, which remainder preferably comprises the underframe, floor and walls substantially in their finally assembled form. Said unit may comprise the outer roof, the ceiling and the insulation between the roof and ceiling; if desired, the refrigerant containers and the necessary supports therefor may also be included in the unitary roof structure.

Another object of the invention is to eliminate interference with the wall insulation which occurs in the common construction of refrigerator car wherein carlines are attached `to the walls. Various types of overhead bunker refrigerator cars have the vertical frame members of the side Walls disposed adjacent the outer sheathing or substantially midway between -the inner lining and outer sheathing. Attachment of carlines to such frame members destroys the continuity of the insulation. In the instant construction, I suspend the refrigerant containers from 4the roof structure, which structure rests upon and is secured to the upper edges of the car walls, thereby eliminating the usual heat leakage which accompanies the attachment of carlines to any part of the wall between the upper and lower edges thereof.

A further object is to dispose the container supporting carlines exterior of the car in order 4to eliminate the above mentioned interference with the insulation of the car.

Another object is to reinforce the bottom of the refrigerant container to enable the container to support the great mass of refrigerant often carried therein. The reinforcement which I provide comprises ties depending preferably from the hatch frame, or other parts of the roof structure, and being attached at their lower ends to the bottom of the container.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following detailed description by reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a transverse section of a refrigerator car embodying my invention, the left half of the gure being a section through the refrigerant container as indicated by line lL-IL in Fig. 2 and the right half of the figure being a section between adjacent refrigerant containers as indicated by line IR--IR of Fig. 2i.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the upper part of the car shown in Fig. 1 as line 2-2 of Fig. l. v

Fig. 3 is a plan view to a smaller scale looking downwardly upon the roof of the car shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 shows a modified arrangement adjacent the side plate.

Fig. 5 shows a modified means to attach the tie rods to the bottom `of the container.

The general parts of the refrigerator car shown are insulated roof A; side walls B; floor D; re frigerant containers E; hatches F for loading refrigerant into the containers E; side wall flues G; foraminous iioor rack H and space J between the rack H and the floor D. A refrigerant container E is positioned directly below the roof A and adjacent la side wall B. A drip pan K is provided below the container E and a partition L is disposed in an upstanding position at the edge of the drip pan K. The drip pan K and the partition L cooperate with the roof A and the upper part of the side Wall B to form an enclosure M around the container E, an air inlet opening N to the enclosure M being provided by spacing the partition L from the roof A. An air discharge opening P leads from the enclosure M to the ue G at a lower elevation than the air inlet opening N. Cars of this type commonly have a row of refrigerant containers E near each side wall B, which containers are spaced apart at the center of the car. The partitions L are also spaced apart indicated by v to form a duct Q which communicates between the lading compartment R and openings Nl.

Air circulation is as follows: Air in the lading compartment R is warmed by contact with the lading and rises through `the duct Q to enter the enclosing structure M `through the air inlet openings N. The air is then cooled by contact with the cold refrigerant containers E and falls by reason of its lower temperature and therefore greater density through the discharge openings P and flues G to the space J whence it rises through the rack H to the lading compartment R.. The above described cycle is thereafter continuously repeated.

A side wall B of the car shown in Fig. l comprises a side sill 2 at the lower part thereof and a side plate (or upper chord) 3 at the upper part thereof. Spaced apart substantially vertical frame members 5 extend between the plate 3 and sill 2 and sheathing S is secured to the side sill 2, side plate 3 and frame members 5.. Horizontally disposed wooden frame members 8, 9 are attached to the inner sides of the vertical frame members 5 near the upper and lower ends thereof. A metallic sheet H is secured to the inner sides of the wooden frame members 8, 9 and has formed therein an outwardly projecting panel i2 which forms, in combination with the lining irl of the car, flues G for the circulation of air.

The outer roof i5 comprises a plurality of sheets I6 extending between and secured to the side plates 3 on opposite sides of the car. The transverse edges of the roof sheets I5 are formed with upstanding ilanges it and the flanges I8 of adjacent sheets I5 are covered by inverted channel shape carlines i9 which are rigidly secured, preferably by rivets 2l, to the flanges I 8. Certain 22 of the roof sheets have disposed upon the upper surfaces thereof plates 24 which also extend between and are secured to the side plates 3 to form carlines. The plates 25 are secured to the roof sheets 22 by any suitable means, such as rivets, welds or rivet welds, and have formed therein upwardly projecting panels 25. The panels 25 extend substantially between the side plates 3 and have depressed margins 21 arranged to be secured to the side plates 3 and upstanding spaced apart ribs 25 arranged to overlie the side plates 3 so as to form a continuous beam therebetween.

A plurality of refrigerant containers E are disposed below the roof. Hatches F for loading refrigerant into the containers E are provided above each of the containers and formed by aligned openings in the roof sheets 22 and the plates 25. The hatch frames S extend through said openings and are formed with outwardly projecting flanges 33 on the upper edges thereof in order to provide seats for the insulated plugs 35 which are arranged to close the hatches F. The hatch frames 32 are preferably securedV to the plates 24. Longitudinally extending purlin members 55, which in the drawings are shown as angles, are secured to the lower parts of the hatch frames 52. Nailing strips 3S are secured to the purlins 35 and the wooden ceiling 35 is preferably partially supported by .the nailing strips 3E. Longitudinally extending wooden battens l2 are secured to the roof sheets 16 and plates 24 by the angle clips 55, the battens @l2 being arranged to overlie the upper wooden frame members 8. The outer edges of the ceiling 3Q are secured to lthe battens 42. Any

type of insulation 45 may be interposed between the roof sheets I6 and the ceiling 39.

In the modification shown in Fig. 4, pliable insulation l5 may be secured to the battens 42, preferably by a fabric 48 which surrounds the insulation 45 and is secured to the battens 42. This arrangement retards the flow of heat between the inside and outside of the car in the vicinity of the side plate 3.

Relatively short Z-shape members 52 are secured, preferably by welding, to the lower sides of .the purlin members 36 between the ends of adjacent refrigerant containers. Brackets 53 are secured to the ends 55 of the refrigerant containers E, which brackets 53 comprise vertical flanges 55 secured to the ends 55, horizontal flanges 58 secured to ,the lower anges 59 of the Z-shape members 52 and vertical reinforcing webs 6l extending between the flanges 56, 58. The horizontal flanges 58 of the brackets 53 are secured, preferably by a removable means, such as rivets or bolts, to the Z-members 52 to provide supports for the refrigerant containers E. The webs 6| of the `brackets 53 may extend upwardly above the horizontal flanges 58 and may be attached to the webs 62 of the Z-Inembers 52. Angle members 54 preferably extend between and are secured to the Z-mernbers 52 on opposite sides of the car, which angle members 64 have secured thereto inverted U-shape brackets 65 which provide supports for the partitions L.

Substantially vertical baille plates 'i5 are preferably provided within the containers E, preferably secured to the bottom thereof, to retard surging of liquid refrigerant. Rods l! have their upper ends secured to both the hatch frames 32 and purlin members 35, and their lower ends secured to the baffle plates l5, thereby preventing deflection of the container bottoms under the load of the refrigerant. In Fig. 5 there is shown a means whereby the lower ends of similar rods 'E3 may be attached to the container bottoms if no baffle plate is used. The U-shape member lill is attached to the container bottom 1G, preferably by welding, and the lower end of the rod is Yinserted between the flanges Tl of the U- shaped member 'iai and secured'thereto.

In the assembly of a cai` as disclosed herein, the unitary roof structure comprising the outer roof sheets i the paneled plates 25, the hatch frames 32, the purlin members 35, the ceiling 39, the roof insulation 45 and the Z-shape members 5E is preferably assembled as a unit upon the ground. After the remainder of the car is substantially completed, said unitary roof structure is set on the walls and assumes the position shown in the drawings. The refrigerant containers `lil may then be placed in position and attached by the means hereinabove described. If desired, the refrigerant containers E may be attached to the Z-shape members 52 before the unitary roof structure is set on the car, in which case the containers form a part of the unitary structure.

It is pointed out that the side wall insulation is continuous between the upper and lower parts of the wall, there being no break in such insulation caused by carline connections and that the entire roof and refrigerant containers are supported directiy upon the outer side plate 3 of the car.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the preferred form of the invention, though it is to'be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, as it is obvious that various modifications thereof, within the scope of the claims, will occur to persons skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. In a refrigerator car, spaced apart side plates, roof sheets extending between said plates, a carline extending substantially between and supported by said side plates, a hatch frame secured to said carline and extending therebelow, spaced apart purlins secured to said hatch frame in spaced relation below said roof sheets, a refrigerant container subjacent said purlins, said purlins being at least as long as said container, and means to secure the end portions of said container to said purlins.

2. In a refrigerator car, spaced apart side plates, roof sheets extending between said plates, a carline comprising a plate having formed therein an upwardly projecting panel extending substantially between and supported by said side plates, a hatch frame secured to said plate and extending therebelow, spaced apart purlins secured to said hatch frame in spaced relation below said roof sheets, a refrigerant container subjacent said purlins, and means to secure said 4 container to said purlins.

3. In a refrigerator car, spaced apart side plates, roof sheets extending between said plates, a carline extending substantially between and supported by said side plates, a hatch frame secured to said carline and extending therebelow, spaced apart purlins secured to said hatch frame in spaced relation below said roof sheets, a refrigerant container subjacent said purlins, an upstanding baille within said container to retard surging of a refrigerant, means to secure the ends of said container to said purlins, and means to secure said baille to said hatch frame.

4. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart Walls, a roof structure adapted to be set as a unit so as to extend between the upper parts of said walls, said roof structure comprising outer roof sheets, a ceiling in spaced relation to said roof sheets, and means for detachably supporting refrigerant containers subjacent said ceiling.

5. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls, each having a chord member associated with the upper part thereof, a roof structure adapted to be set as a unit so as to extend between the upper parts of said walls, said roof structure comprising outer roof sheets and ceiling in spaced apart relation, carlines arranged to be supported by said chords, hatch frames extending between said roof sheets and said ceiling, means to secure said hatch frames to said carlines, purlins attached to said hatch frames and arranged to extend therebeyond and means associated with said purlins remote from said frames for supporting refrigerant containers.

6. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls, each having a chord member associated with the upper part thereof, a roof structure adapted to be set as a unit so as to extend between thc upper parts of said walls, said roof structure comprising outer roof sheets and ceiling in spaced apart relation, carlines arranged to be supported by said chords, hatch frames extending between said roof sheets and said ceiling, means to secure said hatch frames to said carlines, frame members comprising continuous longitudinally extending purlins supported by said hatch frames, refrigerant containers subjacent said ceiling, and means to secure said containers to said frame members.

7. In a refrigerator car having a roof, longitudinally spaced hatch openings in said roof, hatch frames defining said openings, means to support said hatch frames, longitudinally extending purlins supported by said hatch frames, a refrigerant container below each of said hatches, and means associated with said purlins extending between adjacent containers for supporting the containers.

8. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, spaced apart purlins suitably supported within the car adjacent said roof, refrigerant containers below said purlins, said purlins extending at least the length of said containers and means depending from said purlins for supporting the containers.

9. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, a carlin extending between and supported by said walls, spaced apart purlins disposed adjacent said roof and supported at least in part by said carline, refrigerant containers below said purlins, said purlins extending at least the length of said containers and means depending from said purlins for supporting the containers.

10. In a refrigerator car having spaced apart walls and a roof, spaced apart purlins suitably supported within the car adjacent said roof, refrigerant containers below said purlins, and means depending from said purlins beyond the ends of said containers for supporting the containers.

VICTOR E. WEST. 

